Simon Foreman, Astrologer

 

Doggedly determined, Simon Foreman emerged from prison and began to wander about looking for work. The reason for his incarceration is not clear. He had no medical degree at this point and would not have one for quite some time to come. But he seems already to have been advertising himself, to those too poor to afford a proper doctor, as an amateur of special abilities.

1580. All this yere I was in prison till the 14th day of Julii, the which dai about none I was delivered on baill, wher I had bin sixty wickes before, and nowe by means of the counsel's letters was delivered. The next dai after I was out of prison, I went towardes London pore and bare, with lyttle mony, and the 18th dai a cosoning quen professed hirself to be my sister. The 26th of July I went to Grenwitch, and there wrought at carpenter's crafte for my lyving, wher I was till the 16th of August, at which tym I cam to London to cuer Henry Jonson of a consumption. The 4th of September I went over with Henry Jonson into the Lowe Countries, into Sealand and Holland, and we lay at the Hage som fortnight, and the 3rd of October I cam to London again at 10 p.m. The 8th of October I went to Newbury, and lai at John Awndours till the 16th of November. The 18th of November I cam to Quidhampton, wher I fell sick, and staid ther a yere untill the 23rd of October 1581, curing sick and lame folks; in the which tyme I cured the fellowe of Quidhampton of the king's evill, which had 24 holes in his throte and neck, out of the which in on[e] morning I got 86 worms at on[e] tyme like maggotes, and after he was well.

Autobiography and Diary of Dr. Simon Forman. 15.

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